Messages - caulktel

Cool find Gil. They would make a cheap 6 meter radio in the US. I didn't find anywhere on the site where it tells me what mode it operates in. I'm assuming its SSB though. It would be fun radio to take portable and operate on 50.125.

I picked up a Uniden Pro 510xl and a Hustler mag mount from a guy on craigslist the other day for $25. I was amazed at how well it works. All of it was band new in the original packaging. I heard some truck drivers loading gravel at a local quarry about 12 miles from my house, they gave me a 59 signal report. I also was surprised to hear them talking like 'normal' people, no CB slang. The 510 is still rated the best CB for the price in 2017. All in all a good experience.

I can hear some stations on 160 listening on my 40 meter dipole with a tuner on it, but otherwise I don't have enough real estate for it. I saw a nice video yesterday, https://youtu.be/Al3ZJipFq6k using a Mag Loop for 160/80, it looks interesting.

I have the radio now, its missing all the case screws, but it's complete otherwise and doesn't appear to have been golden screwdriver-ed. I checked it all out and found the receiver to be very numb, (but it does work), and the transmitter only delivers about 1.2 watts, but it is on frequency so I may pick up the service manual for it and try to trouble shoot the receiver problem. The squelch doesn't work or the S meter, but I believe that is all part of the same problem. I'm trying to get excited about working on this boat anchor:-) Meanwhile I am going to put up my Antron 99, 10/11/12 meter antenna before the snow flies.

Gil, they are C25-C28. In my case they are 2ea 390pf and 2ea 180pf. Apparently the ones provided are not high enough voltage rating and are heating up during Zmit and are responsible for low power output. I'm not sure I agree with this theory, because they are 50 volt caps and I have used them up to 7-8 watts without any trouble. I think somebody is grasping at straws. In any case a lot of people are having the 1.6 watt output problem and Hans needs to get to the bottom of it.

Unfortunately, the missing C17 has to be 39nF, so Hans is sending me one..

This postpones my video unfortunately, but then I will be able to add a bit on upgrading the firmware.

Gil.

Hi Gil,

I have that exact programmer, however I could never find it in AVRDudess or I should say AVRDudess never found it, that's why I ended up using a Arduino with a serial port. Everybody on the QRPLabs group is telling me it should have worked, maybe it will for you. It seems that my low power output is because of the output LPF caps, so now I have to find some higher voltage caps that will fit in the existing holes on the board. I'm not really happy about this, the right caps should have been included in the kit. I think I will concentrate on putting it in a enclosure while Hans figures out the bugs. I hope you get your cap soon.